OT Ford PSD Waste Gate Solenoid

Her is the story in short -

My 2001 7.3L Powerstroke has been intermittently taking a long time to start. This morning, after sitting for a week she won’t start at all - previously, she would start if I had it plugged into the block heater long enough.

When it is having a hard time starting, I can hear a rattling noise that sounds like it may be a solenoid that is not fully engaging. The rattling appears to be comming from the waste gate solenoid. Does this open the waste gate or close it? Could this be the cause of the hard starts?

I have a Ford repair manual on CD but it does not seem to have any info on the turbo system.

Note, I have not had the batteries checked - but the batteries are less than 2 years old and she turns fast and long when I am trying to start it. I am pretty sure the batteries are fine.

Thanks.,

I have not had them checked yet but ...

Under no load the batteries put out about 12.5 volts. When cranking the starter they drop to about 9.5 give or take. I have been told he electical system in the truck needs about 10.4 volts for to work properly on start-up.

Also, when I jumped the truck with my mini-van, it started fairly well.

Thanks.

I changed the fuel filter a few months ago, and checked for water when this first started a few weeks ago. As my reply above says, it is the batteries after all.